Herd Thinning Dilemma

[Kingface66]

Thanks to an irrepressible pre-Rolex hobby of mine (vintage bass guitars) I'm now facing a choice. It's quite likely I'm going to have to let go of one of my Subs. Just wondering if you guys had any thoughts or opinions on which it could/should be. (To the moderators: I'm not trying to fish for offers, so I hope this isn't in breach of the rules. If it is, it wasn't my intention)

(Starting on the left, and going clockwise (obviously!):

-1967 5512, on a 93150 bracelet.
-1977 1680 with T19 replacement from MW (I still have the cyclops crystal it came with) on a period correct 91350
-1981 16800, on correct 91350 bracelet
-1966 5513 gilt dial on 7-66 C&I bracelet (I kind of can't see selling this one)

That all said, I get the most wear out of the 16800, as it's the newest and closest to a daily wearer, what with the sturdy sapphire crystal. Beyond that, I'm honestly not sure which I would miss the most.

[Dr.Smellody]

Ouch.... I couldn't decide. Beautiful watches there. Sorry, I am of NO help.

[datejust24]

wow...that's a tough one....hmm...probably the 16800 if I absolutely had to choose one...I can't even believe you put the gilt in there!! you should be ashamed of yourself..

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by datejust24

wow...that's a tough one....hmm...probably the 16800 if I absolutely had to choose one...I can't even believe you put the gilt in there!! you should be ashamed of yourself..

OK, that made me laugh out loud!
And you're right!! If you can just, sorta, ignore the gilt, please proceed

[droptopman]

LOL, the gilt is a "for life" watch!

All very fine examples. If I had to chose I would also let the 16800 go.

[datejust24]

lol ok ok i'll let that slide...still have to say the 16800...I understand though I have the same issue...watches and expensive guitars...curious...what bass are you after?

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by datejust24

lol ok ok i'll let that slide...still have to say the 16800...I understand though I have the same issue...watches and expensive guitars...curious...what bass are you after?

If you must!...
The story goes, Gibson shipped just 7 black Thunderbird basses in 1979 (sales had plummeted on them since being re-introduced in 1976). For years I had been casually (and, occasionally, aggressively) searching them out, after obtaining one of them back in the mid 2000s (I had played a '76 back in the 80s w my old punk band from DC, so I always had a soft spot for black Thunderbirds).
Flash forward a number of years, and the collection has grown. And this past weekend in Chicago...I found another one. It was a grueling decision, as I knew that I would probably have to sell a watch to make the deal possible.
Anyway, I got it! And once it comes back from the shop where its pickups are being swapped-out for a pair of original ones that I have, I will add it to the collection, for a total of FOUR:

[gnuyork]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

If you must!...
The story goes, Gibson shipped just 7 black Thunderbird basses in 1979 (sales had plummeted on them since being re-introduced in 1976). For years I had been casually (and, occasionally, aggressively) searching them out, after obtaining one of them back in the mid 2000s (I had played a '76 back in the 80s w my old punk band from DC, so I always had a soft spot for black Thunderbirds).
Flash forward a number of years, and the collection has grown. And this past weekend in Chicago...I found another one. It was a grueling decision, as I knew that I would probably have to sell a watch to make the deal possible.
Anyway, I got it! And once it comes back from the shop where its pickups are being swapped-out for a pair of original ones that I have, I will add it to the collection, for a total of FOUR:

Curious which punk band in 80s DC? Do you know a guitarist named Kieth Campbell (of Blackmarket Baby fame) by any chance?

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by gnuyork

Curious which punk band in 80s DC? Do you know a guitarist named Kieth Campbell (of Blackmarket Baby fame) by any chance?

Absolutely! Saw BMB many times, and our band even shared a stage with them at a benefit show for the "Salad Days" movie, at the Black Cat in DC a few years ago. I was the bass player in a band called King Face.

[datejust24]

dude...its official, sell that 16800...not even a question...

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by datejust24

dude...its official, sell that 16800...not even a question...

Chris, I appreciate how emphatic that was. Thank you!

[SubKing]

Originally Posted by datejust24

dude...its official, sell that 16800...not even a question...

X100. If you have to sell one...

[oldLeatherNeck]

Sell one that fetches the most money.

Any one of those can be replaced.

[datejust24]

You are quite welcome buddy and pleeeease get a group shot once those pups are in that beauty...I'm drooling at the 3 some shot already

[onthedial]

@Kingface66
Exclude the gilt 5513 (cuz you obvi don't want to part with it) and the 16800 (cuz it's a beast and you wear it the most...who cares what others think?), I'd think seriously at what's not getting much wrist time regarding remaining two. It will be a tough one to let go, but you're funding another purchase for something you feel equally passionate for, so it's for a good cause. Rock on!
______
Instagram: @onthedial

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by onthedial

@Kingface66
Exclude the gilt 5513 (cuz you obvi don't want to part with it) and the 16800 (cuz it's a beast and you wear it the most...who cares what others think?), I'd think seriously at what's not getting much wrist time regarding remaining two. It will be a tough one to let go, but you're funding another purchase for something you feel equally passionate for, so it's for a good cause. Rock on!
______
Instagram: @onthedial

I agree, man, it's absolutely a cause I'm completely comfortable with, which certainly does make it a lot easier! That said, if putting aside the two you mentioned, I'd have to say the 1680 probably sees the least amount wrist-time.

[colpol]

Likely doesn't mean definently ..........

I'd take a year or 2 to think it through. Your going to regret letting one of those beauties go somewhere down the line no matter what the reason ;.)

[Richard Carver]

Herd thinning, I did that once and regret it to this day! I had arbitrarily decided two GMTs was too many and sold the SS one...just sayin' That was in 2002 I believe.

If there's a way to swing both do it!

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

Herd thinning, I did that once and regret it to this day! I had arbitrarily decided two GMTs was too many and sold the SS one...just sayin' That was in 2002 I believe.

If there's a way to swing both do it!

Richard, thanks for the comment, mate. Believe me, the potential for regret is not lost on me. WAY too many to recall!

[seattleal]

I'd make the choice between the 1680 and the 16800 based on which one you think will be easiest to replace later should regret really become an issue.

[jdmi32]

5513 - you're nuts to even think about letting this one go
5512 - too hard to replace now, imagine five or ten years from now
16800 - nice daily wearer and these are getting tougher to find in nice condition. Can't let this one go either
1680 - you have to have a top hat in the collection, so this one is also a keeper.

Hope this helps.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by jdmi32

5513 - you're nuts to even think about letting this one go
5512 - too hard to replace now, imagine five or ten years from now
16800 - nice daily wearer and these are getting tougher to find in nice condition. Can't let this one go either
1680 - you have to have a top hat in the collection, so this one is also a keeper.

Hope this helps.

Ky, I'm not sure how much it helped, but I can't argue with the reasoning!
Cheers!

[g-boac]

I think you've got the 16800 clearly identified as a keeper. It's a go-to watch that you can confidently wear in all conditions.

Of the remaining watches, the two that are most like each other are the 5513 and 5512, so if you were focused on maximizing diversity, those two are most alike.

I've thinned a collection down previously, and it worked out well. Because ultimately what it came down to was some watches got wrist time, and others really, truly did spend a lot of time in the safe. And, when I would wear them. . .I also would NOT be wearing my typical wearers that I really loved.

Even the gilt watch - while it's terrific, the real question you should ask yourself (and only you can answer) is, how would you like your resources allocated? If a little top-heavy on the watch side, you still can get quite a bit of satisfaction with a fewer pieces that you wear often, while a safe or drawer-queen instead becomes a Gibson that you play (or a Corvette that you drive, etc, etc).

One final point is - as you rebalance from one to the other and vice versa. . .the Gibson bass you pick up may well prove to be an even more valuable commodity that the Rolex. And it could even one day be a key that lets you pick up a 6538 Big Crown; or not. . .but that's something you can't predict. The real point is, make the decision to go with what you're feeling, and move forward from there! All things considered, there really are no wrong answers here!

[Jfullm42]

Ya I'd say the 16800 for sure

[Michael M.]

I'm going to go against the grain on this one. I say sell the 1680. Mint 1680's are easier to find than 16800's IMO. Also you would still have two exceptional plexi submariners in the heard.

[locutus49]

When I saw your title I thought it was about thinning hair. I'll just pop out now

[vintagehartmann]

1680. Compared to the 5512 and 5513, it's of the least value.

[Michael M.]

Originally Posted by locutus49

When I saw your title I thought it was about thinning hair. I'll just pop out now

[Kingface66]

Guys, thank you all for your comments. It means a lot.
There's been valid points made concerning all of the watches....and, John, let's not even talk about thinning hair!...including Colpols's warning that it could be something I'll live to regret. That said, I'm gonna have to make a decision (one way or the other) sooner than later.
But I, of course, will keep you guys posted!
Thanks so much!

[bluemartinifan]

16800 goes unless you want to keep a watch to get wet.